Page 55 of The Highseer's Mate

I let out a breath, feeling like someone just punched me in the stomach. I pull back to look into his amber eyes, nothing but the glows on his chest lighting the chamber around us. “Of course, I came.”

“I didn’t know if you would.”

I drag my thumb across his bottom lip as his gaze darts longingly across my face. He tugs me forward by the back of the neck and our lips touch, the softest of embraces.

Our mouths lazily play, a slow and heady exploration. His fingers drag down the line of my spine as I open for him, welcoming in the taste of him. My mate. My only real connection to this place.

The glowhollows feel like home because he’s my home now. Because my heart is as wrapped up with him as the luminite in this mountain.

I whimper into his mouth and deepen the kiss, desperate to let his warmth sink into me and take away the chill of uncertainty. I straddle him and arch as his cock hardens beneath me and my stomach flutters in response. He’s strong and hard and with him, I don’t have to be. I can be soft and let him hold me, those muscled arms carrying me effortlessly. He grunts as I lick and nip at his full bottom lip, his hips bucking softly.

“Troublemaker,” he whispers.

My eyes flutter shut. I wrap my arms around his neck and speak directly into his ear. “You shouldn’t be down here.”

My voice shakes.

Varek holds me close.

“It isn’t fair. This is all my fault, I should be the one—”

Varek pulls me back just enough to meet my eyes. His gaze flashes with anger and he shakes his head. “Do not say such a thing.”

“But it’s true.”

This was all my doing.

His voice deepens. “It is not. I knew what I was sacrificing when I made that deal with you, Mate.”

I pout and Varek’s lips twitch at the edges as if he’s amused.

“Do not make that face, Paige. I wish to see you smile.”

“But this place is terrible. How can you see anything?”

“I only think of you,” he murmurs. His chest flares a little brighter at the words and my chest constricts. “When you are on my mind, the light never goes out.”

My throat is scratchy as he crushes me to his chest again and I let all my emotions out. We should be in our chamber, sprawled out amongst the furs and loving each other. We should be basking in the intensity of our bond, but instead he’s stuck here.

“Let’s just leave,” I whisper.

“Can’t.”

“Not even if they keep you from me?” I ask.

His body tenses.

“Slip out with me. No one is down here stopping you.”

He cups my cheek and I lean into the gentle touch.

“That is because you live here. The council knows I would never abandon my mate, nor would I endanger her by stealing her away to live on our own. You are safer here.”

“This isn’t right,” I whisper.

“It is, Paige.” He rubs his thumb along my jawline and commands my attention, soothing me as he caresses my skin. “I betrayed my people and I must pay for it. I am ready to accept the consequences of my actions.”

I shake my head, wrapping my fingers around his wrists. “You should have told me no. You should have told the council about the others immediately. I’m a fool for asking you to hide them.”

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